LA Lakers Trade Rumors: 10 Potential Deals That Could Bring Dwight Howard To LA

Two things may becoming clear in the NBA. The first is that with the way the Lakers roster is constructed they might not be able to win again this year, and they may be in trouble for the future. The other is that the Magic, with the way their roster is constructed might not be able to win this year, and they may be in trouble for the future.

That has to do with a couple of things: First, Kobe cannot do it by himself and he's missing that truly effective second banana to put him over the top; second, Dwight Howard needs a second banana himself. Gilbert Arenas is fine, but he's not winning the Magic an NBA title.

So where does that leave these two teams, and these two players? The most obvious choice is on a path together. If the Lakers could swing a deal to bring Howard to L.A, then you could be looking at Los Angeles as a powerhouse for another three or four years.

It might seem crazy but it's possible. In order to look at the possibility we have to establish two things: Dwight would gladly accept a trade to L.A and Kobe would gladly welcome Howard to Lala Land. With that being said we move to the ESPN Trade Machine. 

10. The Straight Up Trade

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 25: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket while being defended by Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz in the second half at Staples Center on January 25, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeat

Orlando Gets

Andrew Bynum

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard

The Concept

This trade is a nice tidy package. Bynum goes to Orlando and Howard heads to California. The money is similar and according to the ESPN Trade Machine, this would improve both teams win totals. However, the likelihood that L.A would get away with just giving up Bynum, especially since Bynum is injury prone, is unlikely.

If Orlando fears they could lose Howard in free agency, they might consider it.  

9. The Proven Commodities

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Shane Battier #31 of the Houston Rockets battle for a rebound in the first half at Staples Center on February 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 1

Orlando Gets

Pau Gasol

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard

The Concept

So maybe Bynum is too much of a health risk for Orlando, but Gasol is a proven winner with a few good years left. He's a great fundamental player and so he could work well to improve the team concept in Orlando. The Lakers would have to give up Gasol because having Gasol and Howard and Bynum is sort of unfair for the rest of the league. The trade machine sees this as helping both teams.  

8. The Fleece

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Lamar Odum #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a tip in by Antonio McDyess #34 of the San Antonio Spurs with less than a second on the clock for a 89-88 Spur win at Staples Center on February 3, 2011 in Los Angeles, C

Orlando Gets

Lamar Odom

Andrew Bynum

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard

Ryan Anderson

The Concept

This is an interesting one. The Lakers get their man and a guy they'll discard later. The Magic get a young player with a big upside, and an older veteran who is playoff tested and having a very good year. However, according to Hollingers' analysis, this would improve the Lakers by eight wins and weaken the Magic by eight. So, this is a possibility, but Orlando might not think so.  

7. The Point Guard Fleece

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball upcourt as Kenyon Martin #4 of the Nuggets follows against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-

Orlando Gets

Andrew Bynum (from L.A.)

Sheldon Williams (from Denver)

Denver Gets

Pau Gasol (from L.A.)

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Chauncey Billups (Denver)

Gary Forbes (Denver)

The Concept

This only makes no sense for Orlando. Even though Denver is losing their point guard, they are getting a proven commodity at the power forward position and if Anthony could be convinced to stick around, with Nene they could be a great front court. The Lakers get an upgrade at point guard from Derek Fisher. Orlando is the only team that would be projected to lose games here. But Denver and L.A could give up first-round picks to sweeten the pot for Orlando. It's not as bad as you think.  

6. The Bad Contract Trade

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 30: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics and Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers fight for position in the second half at Staples Center on January 30, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Celtics defeated the Lakers 109-9

Orlando Gets

Andrew Bynum (L.A.)

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Gerald Wallace (Charlotte)

Charlotte Gets

Ron Artest (L.A.)

Shannon Brown (L.A.)

The Concept

Everyone gets a little of something they want. Charlotte gets rid of Gerald Wallace, and takes on the Lakers' bad Ron Artest deal at a cheaper price. The Lakers get rid of Artest, but take on Wallace for fewer years. And the Magic actually improve their projected win total with Bynum. The only one who doesn't improve is Charlotte, but if Artest can be a bigger part of the offense there, he'll be happy and that should make Charlotte happy.  

5. The Charlotte Wins Trade

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats against the Boston Celtics during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 11, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

Orlando Gets

Andrew Bynum (L.A.)

Tyrus Thomas (Chralotte)

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Gerald Wallace (Charlotte)

Nazr Mohammed (Charlotte)

Charlotte Gets

Pau Gasol (L.A.)

Ron Artest (L.A.)

The Concept

This is easy. The Magic get two young guys with tremendous upside and both good defensively. The Lakers get a small forward that has better game offensively and Charlotte gets two players that are arguably better than anyone they have on the team now. The projected wins for this trade favor Charlotte out of the bunch.  

4. The Steal

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 01: Luis Scola #4 of the Houston Rockets is defended by Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half at Staples Center on February 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 114-106. NOTE

Orlando Gets

Andrew Bynum (L.A.)

Luis Scola (Houston)

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Shane Battier (Houston)

Ryan Anderson (Orlando)

Houston Gets

Ron Artest (L.A.)

Matt Barnes (L.A.)

Orlando 2012 First-Round Pick

Los Angeles 2013 First-Round Pick

The Concept

Houston gets an expiring in Matt Barnes and Ron Artest to give them another scoring option and two good draft picks to build on. Orlando gets two proven players inside, and the Lakers gets supreme defense and a power house to build on for the future.  

3. The 4 Team Trade

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BOSTON - MARCH 10: O.J. Mayo #32 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates his three point shot in the second half against the Boston Celtics on March 10, 2010 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Grizzlies defeated the Celtics 111-91. NOTE TO USER:

Orlando Gets

Danny Granger (Indiana)

O.J Mayo (Memphis)

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

Hasheem Thabeet (Memphis)

Indiana Gets

Andrew Bynum (L.A.)

Memphis Gets

Lamar Odom (L.A.)

The Concept

According to Hollingers analysis, this helps everyone except Memphis, who doesn't appear any better on paper. However, Memphis gets a notch in their offense and a proven leader. They also get rid of O.J Mayo and they get rid of Hasheem Thabeet. Indiana gets more size inside which is what they need, and Orlando gets two nice pieces of the puzzle.  

2. 2-for-1 Trade

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 08: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts to a foul during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Amway Arena on February 8, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by dow

Orlando Gets

Ron Artest

Andrew Bynum

Los Angeles Gets

Dwight Howard

The Concept

This trade improves the projected win totals by both teams. And in some ways, it helps both teams out defensively. Howard is the games single best defensive player, but with Bynum and Artest they would get two good defensive players. L.A. doesn't have a true dominant defender which they would get with Howard.  

1. The 3 Team Big Name

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 07: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets watches on against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Orlando Gets

Pau Gasol(L.A)

Sheldon Williams(Denver)

L.A.'s 2012 First and Second-Round Pick

Denver Gets

Andrew Bynum (L.A.)

Lamar Odom (L.A.)

Los Angeles Gets

Carmelo Anthony (Denver)

Dwight Howard (Orlando)

The Concept

Carmelo wants out of Denver. Howard wants in L.A. They can both go to L.A and dominate for a few years. Meanwhile Denver gets a good young talent at a decent replacement for Anthony (yes, I realize Odom doesn't play the same position but at the very least he can help with the scoring load).

Orlando seems to get fleeced because Sheldon Williams is nothing, but he has to be thrown in to make the money right. Orlando could picks from the Lakers as well. The Hollinger analysis says the only team this hurts is the Lakers. I'm betting the Lakers try this out if available.